What is a Kingdom?

Now I will give you a little more than a synopsis of what a kingdom is. A kingdom is a governing impact of a king's will over a territory or domain; his influence over a people... a government led by a king.

Every kingdom must have a king, but it is also true that every king is automatically a "lord". It is this quality of lordship that distinguishes a king from a president, a prime minister, a mayor or a governor. In fact, a king's lordship makes him different from any other kind of human leader. Lordship makes the king unique.

The most common word in scripture is the word "lord". Keep in mind that this word does not exist in a democracy, socialist society or a republic except for the word landlord, in reference to the one who owns and rents land to others. Landlord is the only common remnant of kingdoms in modern government and Western societies; but this concept of lord is one of the fundamental principles of a kingdom.

Now let us speak on a king for awhile. A king's sovereignty is absolute. He isn't voted into nor out of office or power. His sovereignty is by birthright--or should I say a right of birth. The same is true of a king's lordship. All kings are automatically lords.

Keep this in mind--a king relates to dominion, while a lord relates to domain. The word dominion refers to the king's authority--his power. The word domain refers to the territory, the property, the geographical area over which his authority extends. A king exercises his authority over a specific geographical area. Keep in mind what I mentioned... A dominion refers to a king's authority and a domain refers to his geographical territory.

Remember that kings personally own the physical domain over which they reign. That makes them not only kings but also lords. Kings and property go together!

​

We should always remember that "big brother" Jesus always focused on the Kingdom.

The Kingdom concept was born in the heart of man, placed there by his Creator as the purpose for which he was created. Despite the fact that there were many types of kingdoms throughout history, there are certain characteristics common to all kingdoms. The Kingdom of God, according to Jesus, also possesses these components. Here's some of them, so that you can understand the Kingdom concept...

All kingdoms have:

a. A King and Lord-- a sovereignb. A Territory-- a domainc. A Constitution-- a royal covenantd. A Citizenry-- a community of subjectse. The Law-- acceptable principlesf. Privileges-- rights and benefitsg. A Code of Ethics-- acceptable lifestyles and conductsh. An Army-- securityi. A Commonwealth-- economic security, andj. A Social Culture-- protocol and procedures

a. The King is the embodiment of the kingdom, representing its glory and nature. Authority flows from the king and the word of the king is supreme.

b. The Territory is the domain over which the king exercises total authority. The territory and its resources and people are all personal property of the king. The king by right owns all and, therefore, is considered lord over all. Keep in mind, the word Lord denotes ownership by right. Lord is only given to one who is sovereign owner. This is why the Scripture declares in Psalm 24:1 "The Earth is the Lord's and all it's fullness, the world and these who dwell therein."

c. The Constitution is the covenant of a king with his citizenry and express the mind and will of the king for his citizens and the kingdom. The constitution is the documented words of the king. The Bible contains the constitution of the Kingdom of God, which details his will and mind for his citizens.

d. The Citizenry is the people that live under the rule of the king. Citizenship in a kingdom is not a right, but a privilege, and is a result of the king's choice. The benefits and privileges of a kingdom are only accessible to citizens and therefore the favor of the king is always a privilege. Once one becomes a citizen of the kingdom, all the rights of citizenship are at the citizen's pleasure. The king is obligated to care for and protect all of his citizens; and their welfare is a reflection on the king himself. The number one goal of a citizen in a kingdom is to be subject to the king, seeking only to remain in right-standing with him. This is called righteousness. This is why Jesus said the priority of all men is to seek His Kingdom. (Matthew 6:33)

e. The Law constitutes the standards and principles established by the king himself, by which his kingdom will function and be administered. The laws of a kingdom are to be obeyed by all, including foreigners residing in it. The laws of the kingdom are the way by which one is guaranteed access to the benefits of the king and the kingdom. Violations of kingdom law place one at odds with the king and thus interrupt the favorable position one enjoys with the king. The laws in a kingdom cannot be changed by the citizens, nor are they subject to a citizen referendum or debate. Simply put, the word of the King is law in his kingdom. Rebellion against the law is rebellion against the king. King David understood this principle of the royal word when he stated, in Psalm 138:2-3 I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name. In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul.

f. The Privileges are the benefits the king lavishes on his faithful citizens. This aspect of kingdom is very different from other forms of government. In a kingdom, citizenship is always desired by the people because, once you are in the kingdom, the king is personally responsible for you and your needs. In addition, because the king owns everything within his kingdom, he can give to any citizen any or all of his wealth as he desires.

g. A Code of Ethics is the acceptable conduct of the citizens in the kingdom and their representation of the kingdom. This code includes moral standards, social relationships, personal conduct, attitude, attire and manner of life.

h. The Army is the kingdom's system of securing its territory and protecting its citizens. It is important to understand that in a kingdom the citizens do not fight in the army, but enjoy the protection of the army. This is why, in the kingdom of God, the angels are called the host of heaven. The word host means army and identifies the angels as the so-called military component of the Kingdom of Heaven. This kingdom concept presents a challenge to our religious thinking of the church as an army. A careful study of the biblical constitution of the Word will show that the church, as Jesus established it, is not identified as an army but rather a citizenship, a family of sons, and a nation.

Psalm 78:49 He cast on them the fierceness of His anger, wrath, indignation and trouble; by sending angels of destruction among them.

Psalm 103:20-21 Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

Matthew 13:40-42 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will gather out of His Kingdom all things that offend and those who practice lawlessness. and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

i. A Commonwealth is the economic system of a wealth which guarantees each citizen equal access to financial security. In a kingdom, the term commonwealth is used because the king's desire is that all his citizens share and benefit from the wealth of the kingdom. The kingdom's glory is in the happiness and health of its citizens.

Please note: Consider carefully the word of the King of the Kingdom of God, Jesus Christ:

Luke 12-22-23 Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing."

Luke 12-31-32 But seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

j. The Social Culture is the environment created by the life and manners of the king and his citizens. This is the cultural aspect that separates and distinguishes the kingdom from all others around it. It is the culture that expresses the nature of the king, through the lifestyle of his citizens. This distinction in kingdom culture is evident in the words of the Lord Jesus, when He repeatedly said in the book of Matthew "you have heard that it was said... but I tell you." (Matthew 5:21-22) and again "it shall not be so among you" (Matthew 20:26). Kingdom social culture is supposed to be evident in our daily activities and encounters.